Author: Shannon Smithwick

Topics

Topics Water is a resource that is required by all lifeforms on Earth. From the trees outside to the ground below, water is an intricate and complex part of life. […]

Water Maps

Water maps are published in many different forms by virtually all provincial and territorial jurisdictions across Canada. These forms may include aquifers, water wells, waterways, marine navigation maps, and watersheds. […]

Naturally Occurring Substances in Water 

What’s in Your Water? What’s in Your Water? Substances Influences Concerns & Misconceptions Also known as materials, matter, constituents, chemicals, compounds. What naturally occurring substances are in Canada’s water? Source […]

Alberta Groundwater Resources

Groundwater is an integral part of the hydrological cycle [1] and contributes to stream flows and lake levels. It is also an important drinking-water supply for over 600,000 Albertans. The […]

Flood Mitigation: Soft Engineering

Flood External Resources Presentations and Minutes from the BRBC Quarterly Forum on Flood Mitigation South Saskatchewan River Basin Snow Data What is soft engineering? Traditionally, shore stabilizations have been constructed […]

Drought in the 21st Century

Timeline of Alberta's 21st Century droughts superimposed on an arrow pointing into the unknown future.

Drought One of Canada’s Costliest Natural Disasters Drought once again affected Alberta in the early 21st century. Starting in 1999, and lasting until 2004 the drought during this period was […]

Economic Impacts of Flooding

Flood Flooding is Canada’s most costly type of natural disaster [1]. Flooding is responsible for extreme damage and destruction to property, public areas, and the environment which incurs enormous costs for […]

Environmental Impacts of Flooding

Flood Flooding has both positive and negative consequences. On the negative side, flood water usually contains debris and pollutants. Debris can include trees and stones, or even pieces of houses. […]

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Photograph of WaterPortal Board Member Ross Douglas

Ross Douglas

Board Member

Ross has extensive executive experience in Operations, Governance, Information Technology and Strategy at the board and senior management level including Mancal Corporation, Mancal Energy, Highridge Exploration and Atlantis Resources. He has worked in Oil and Gas, Coal, Commercial Real Estate, Portfolio Management, Recreation, Retail and Water and Wastewater Treatment. His experience is also geographically diverse having overseen operations in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Additionally, he has been on the board of companies with operations in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Kazakhstan, and Russia. He has served on numerous Public, Private and Not for Profit Boards across a number of industries.

Ross has been active on several industry Boards and committees including the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and The Schulich School of Engineering Industry Advisory Council at the Schulich School of Engineering.

Photograph of WaterPortal Board Member Brian Mergelas

Brian Mergelas, PhD, ICD.D

Board Member

Brian is a seasoned Cleantech entrepreneur with a proven history of successfully bringing complex water technologies to the market.   With over 25 years of experience, he has led various organizations to achieve significant milestones in the industry. 

Having started as the founding CEO of the Pressure Pipe Inspection Company (PPIC) and later taking the helm at the Water Technology Acceleration Project (WaterTAP), Brian’s entrepreneurial spirit has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth within the sector. 

He is an active investor in the cleantech sector and has served on many boards including the Ontario Clean Water Agency. 

Actively engaged in industry associations like AWWA, WEF, IWA, and ASCE, Brian enjoys collaborating with fellow professionals to promote advancements in the field. 

Brian holds an undergraduate degree and a PhD in Physics from Queen’s University, which has provided him with a solid technical foundation.   As a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, he brings valuable insights to corporate governance.